Starting mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



P. W. TEVES'. STARTING IIIEGHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.8, 1907.

Patented MarQQ, 1909.

/l lll Inventor: y. W

W Attys.

- shaft.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, I have illustrated the invention as being applied to an automobile, such being the greatest field of utility for the device. In said drawings, a indicates the fly wheel of an internal combustion engine, not shown, and a the protruding end of the crank shaft which is utilized to crank the engine to place the initial charge of gas under compression for ignition. T is said end a" carrles one member of an impact coupling as the pins a This is a common and well known construction and is shown merely to illustrate one form of coupling between the engine and the starting mechanism. b indicates the radiator housing and its sup orts.

Mounted on the sup orts for the ra iator, 'or on an other desire or convenient member, is a ame c, on which is a boss 0' adapted to act as a bearing for the starting shaft (1 of the starting mechanism. In the form of the invention shown, this boss 0 supports said shaft d in axial alinement with the shaft end a.

Any suitable means may be used for rotating the shaft d, a crank handle (1' being referred on account of its simplicity, and 0 its being the customar agency for cranking purposes. The ban le is shown as being screwed onto the shaft d but its manner of known expedient now generally adopted inautomobile practice. This arrangement, it will be observed, forms an impact coupling which is automatically released if the engine charge is properly ignited; but in case the charge is not ignited such a coupling alonewill cause the engine shaft to rotate the member e and the means turning same, with it, as the gases expand when pressure from the starting mechanism is relieved. To obviate the difficulty which results in the so called kick of thestarting crank, I positively lock the shaft (1 against such a return movement, and so construct and arran e the device that said member e is capable 0 such return movement.

The locking mechanism for the shaft d ab'ove referred to must be such as to permit the free rotation of said shaft in one direction, while looking it against all movement in the reverse direction. Preferably I accomplish this result by providing the shaft (1 with-ea.

ratchet wheel f rotatable therewith, and mounting a pawl f spring pressed or not, as desired, in such relation to said wheel f as to engage same when the coupling members a -e are connected, and thus limit the direction of rotation of the shaft (1 to that necessary to turn the engine shaft a.

The shaft (1 carries means whereby the coupling member e is connected thereto when said shaft is so rotated, and disconnected therefrom, in case said members turns with the shaft 0 in the opposite direction. To simplify the design of the starting mechanism, to insure reliability of action; to minimize wear, and to' .make the mechanismcompact, I make the shaft (1 hollow, and

make the member acylindrical and seat it and the means coupling it to the shaft (1, within said shaft. Hence the member 6 is rotatable within said shaft, while the means coupling it to the said shaft are held stationary relative to said shaft. Said means are also rotatable with said shaft so as to permit power to be transmitted therefrom to the member e, aiid have such movement as to permit the automatic disconnection of the member e therefrom in a manner to be l1ere-' inafter described.

The coupling means above referred to comprise a reciprocating cylindrical block g mounted in the shaft (1 which block is provided with a stud 9 moving in an elongated way (1 formed in said shaft (1. Said block has at diametrically op osite points of the face thereof a recess g t .e rear side-of which at least, is pitched backward to present a cam surface adapted to aid in accomplishing the disconnection of the members e g. Said block has an opening as g extending axially therethrough. I

The coupling member 6 has similarly shaped lugs e adapted to interlock with the recesses 9 and an opening 6 passing axially there through and, alined with the opening 9 which opening e at its outer end is enlarged to form a spring seat 6 and chamber 0 within said member e. Seated. within said chamber and acting -against the seat is a spiral spring h which spring is placed under such compression by a bolt i passing therethrough and through the openings 9 6 as to normally cause the lugs e to interlock with the recesses g at each half revolution of the block g. Suitable washers t i are provided to form a seat for the spring 71- and engage the block 9, and the nut '1 is placed on theend of the bolt 2' so as to permit ready access thereto to permit the adj ustmcn't of the compression of said spring. vIt will thus be seen that the member e is free to rotate within the shaft (1 7 and about the bolt '8 independently of the desirab e, however,- to A matic releasefor the paw f", as {it is" neces sary at times to't'urn the shaft -';Z, "to pesit'i'on i acting against the block block 9 which is held against such rotation, to accomplish the connection or d1sconnec-' tion of the interlocking parts carried by said members, whether under or against the tension of said spring. The reciprocating movement of the block 9 is necessary to per. mitthe disengagement of the lugs from the recesses 9 1 To permit the use of a supplemental spring j if such becomes necessary to reinforce the spring 'i incase it' is not strong enough to hold the members a g interlocked against the strains necessarily transmitted therethrough to place the charge of-gasfinfthe engine under compression, the outer end of.

the shaft (1 is. also made hollow, the spring 7' p g or-washer i i and the crank handle d.,

The foregoing mechanism relates solelyto the features of the device relating .to the andfkick of the engine.- It .is

rovidei an autost artin the handle d so as to secure-the desired purchase 't'os'tart the engine." To simplify the structure of the device, and its mode of operation, I make-such release automatic, and actuate it, through the movement of the and ratchet to 'co'uipling 'member-cin disengaging the shaft.

endfe, thus causin the paw I berdisengaged at al times when. it is neces-- i sary to prank. the engine.- To provide an automatic release for-this purpose, Iprovi'de clearance on the shaft (1 at 70 adjacent to the boss 0 so as to permit the shaft d and all parts "appurtenant thereto .jto have such [axial movement as wili permit the disen- "gageinent of the shoulders e and pins a and a soy form a channel Zin thecouplin'gmember e adapted to receive a face late-pm carried by the ratchet wheel f. -T is arranga ment' insures the movem'entof the shaft d and appurtenant parts, with the. member c although if desired,the springj may be relied upon 'to transmit such movement and there after restore the various parts to normal. I

also pr'ovid'e' a rim n to the wheel f extending to a point adjacent to the periphery thereof, which rim is adapted to engage a cam o car-J ried by the-pawl to-raise said cam as the shaft d is forced outwardly, or to permit itto v, drop to place, as the shaft is forced inwardly.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a modification of th s construction, which may be used when I the ratchet wheel I is set on the .shaft (Z adi jacent to the plate 0, and the pawl is mounted on said plate. In thisform, the pawl carrles an overhung cam p which rests'upon a plurality of the teeth ofthe ratchet, thus causing said ratchet to act directly on-thecam, and dispensing with the rim n. This form of the invention, is as to its mode of o eration, identical with the other 'form s iown, being merely a variation of mechanthe shoulder e thereon;

ical details to adapt'the invention to different conditions of use.

'lhe operation of the herein described start ngmechanism for internal combustion engines is substantially as follows: The various parts of the mechanism proper are normally so positioned relative to each other that the coupling members e are connected,

the spring i alone or in conjunction with the spring causing suchrelation. While the memberfe is uncoupled from the shaftc, the pawlofor p will ride upon the rim n or the ratchet thus. disengaging said pawl from said ratchet, and ermitting the free rotation of the shaft-d in either direction.

When it isgdesired to .crank the engine;

the crank d istui'ned to bring it to the desired l josition, and forced inwardly, the shaft-dl rnoving axially in the boss c until the couplin member e passes about the shaft it and the shoulders e thereon are brought so as to en'gage the pins a3.- This movement causes the ratchet f and its rim n to have "such move'ment as to permit the pawl fto drop upon the ratchet f thus. limitingt-he movement of the ratchet and the shaft 11 to "the direction necessary to startthe en- 'gine.' This causes all the parts to assume the positions shown in Fig. 3. d is thenturned, thus turning the shaft d,

The crank which movement is transmitted to the block g thro'ughthe stud thereon. The tension of the spring h is en ci nt to resist the tende'ncy of thecam c to ride out "of the recess {1 being greater than any power which may be applied-to the crank d by the operator. If, the charge placed under com ression in this-marm'e'nis not pro erly ignitec ,the gases under "compression Wll expand and tend to causethecr'ankd to kickback through power is applied to the shaft 11. The engagement of the pawl f with the ratchet wheel f wd'l, owever, actpositively to prevent any movement of the said-pawl the thesani'e chain'of mechanisms through which j shaft d and theblock 9, thus causing the 'entire power of the'expanding gases-to be applied to the coupling members c 9 against sufficiently great to cause the cams e to act against the pitched walls of the recesses'g in a manner to force the entire block g backward against the tension of the springs h j, or

71 alone when the spring j is not used, the. stud g moving into the way (1 to anextent gether; that the latter is adapted to be held.

stationaryrelative to the former, and that purpose of more This power will be the former is'rotatable with theiatter, and also independently thereof. If the engine shaft should return more than a half rotation, the members e g would automatically couple and uncouple again, it being impossible under any conditions to turn the shaft d While the coupling member 6 is engaged 3 with the shaft a. The bolt i not only serves to cause the sprin h to cause the members 6 g to act as described, but aids to kee these parts in such alinement as to insure t eir reliability in action. If the charge in the engine be properly ignited, the shaft a continues to rotate in the same direction, thus causing the pins a to.force the entire starting mechanism backwardly throu h their action upon the cams e on the coupIin member e. This backward movement of t e coupling. member. e transmits a direct axial movement to the shaft (1 and all of its appurtenants through the plate m, which movement causes the rim n or the ratchet f itself in the form shown in Fig, 4, to engage the cam or p, and raise the pawl f out of engagement withsaid ratchet. The clearance at k permits the reci rocation of theshaft d.

It will be observed that the arrangement of the co pling members e g and the spring 11 is such as to cause said members to be automatically coupled whenever the cams e are brought into alinement with the r'ecesses'g, thusinsuring the proper'and automatic positioning-of the parts in order to permit the engine to be crank-ed.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, the

manner of associating the essential elements being largely dependent upon the design, or 4 location of the engine, or of the automobile to which it is attached. It is merely necessary that the means permitting rotation of the crank shaft. in one direction and locking it against movement in thereverse direction, be positioned on said shaft in a relation which will be most convenient.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire'to have protected by 7 Letters Patent is r 1'. In a starting mechanism for internal combustionengincs, the combination of a shaft, means whereby said shaft may be' turned, a locking mechanism whereby said shaft is permitted to turn in one direction but is locked against movement in the'other di-' rection, a coupling member adapted to rotate the engine crank shaft, a coupling member rotatable with-said first mentioned shaft and adapted to be coupled to said first mentioned coupling member, means whereby said coupling members may be connected to transmit motion from said firstmentioned shaft and disconnected to permit'said first mentioned coupling member-to rotate independently of l said first mentioned shaft, and means whereby, when said first mentioned coupling member is disengaged from the engine shaft, said locking mechanism will be inoperative.

2. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of a shaft, means whereby said shaft may be turned, and moved axially, a coupling member adapted to rotate the engine crank shaft, a coupling member rotatable with said first mentloned coupling member, means whereby said coupling members may be connected to transmit motion from said first mentioned shaft and disconnected to permit said first mentioned coupling member to rotateindependently of said first mentioned shaft, interlocking members carried by said first mentioned shaft and a relatively stationary part, and means-carried by oneof said members whereby the axial movement of said shaft to couple said first mentioned coupling member to the engine starting shaft will lock said members, and axial movement in the opposite direction will release said members, whereby said first mentioned shaft is permitted to turn in onedirection only when coupled to the engine starting shaft, and locked against movement in the opposite direction, and is permitted to turn in both directions, when said first mentioned shaft is not so coupled. I

In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of a starting shaft, means whereby same may be rotated, a locking mechanism whereby said shaft is ermitted to turn in one direction but is locked against movement in the other direction, a coupling member mounted on said shaft having an axial opening therethrough enlarged at the forward end to form a spring seat and chamber, forward and rear coupling means thereon, a coupling member adapter-[- to engage said rear coupling means carried by, rotatable with, and having an axial movement independently of, said starting shaft and having an axial opening there through alined with the opening in said first mentioned member, a tie rod or bolt passing through said openings and engaging said last mentioned coupling membciyand a spring under compression in said chamber and between said spring seat and the end of said tie rod or bolt, whereby said coupling members are normally connected, but may be automatically disconnected against the tension of said spring.

4. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of a starting shaft, means whereby same may be rotated, a locking mechanism whereby said shaft is pc1'1nirc l to turn in one direction but is locked against movement in the other d irection, a coupling member mounted on said shaft having an axial opening therethrough enlarged at the forward em I. to form a spring a locking mechanism combustion engines,

seat and chamber, forward and rear coupling means thereon, a coupling member adapted to engage said rear coupling means carried by, rotatable with, and having an axial openin therethrough alined with the opening, in said first mentioned member, a tiered or bolt passing through said openings and engaging said last mentioned coupling member, having a screw threaded end, a take up nut on said threads, and a spring under compression in said chamber and between said spring seat and said take up nut, whereby said coupling members are normally connected but may be automatically disconnected against the tension of said spring and the tension of said spring maybe regulated.

5 In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of a fstarting shaft having an axial opening therein, means whereby said shaft may be rotated, whereby said shaft is permitted to turn in one direction but is locked'against movement in the other direction, a reciprocating coupling member hav ing an axial opening therethrou'gh, mounted in said opening and rotatable with said shaft, a second coupling member rotatably mounted in said opening, having an axial opening therethrough enlarged at its forward end to. form a spring seat and chamber, interlocking cams carried by the adjoining ends of said coupling members, a tie rod or bolt passin through said openings and engaging said reciprocating member, and a spring under compression in said chamber, and between said-spring seat and the end of said tie rod or bolt, whereby said cams are normally interlocked, but may be automatically discoi1- nected against the tension of said spring.

6. In a starting mechanism for internal the combination of a starting shaft having an axial opening therein, means whereby said shaft may be rotated,

a locking mechanism whereby said shaft is ermit'ted to turn in one direction but is ocked against movement inthe other direction, a reci rocating coupling member ing an axia opening therethrougkh, mounted in said opening and rotatable'wit said shaft, a second coupling member rotatably mounted having an axial opening in said opening, therethrough enlargedat its forward end to form'a spring seat and chamber, interlocking cams carried by the adjoining coupling members, a tie rod or bolt passing through said openings and engaging said reciprocating member, a spring under compression in said chamber, and between said spring seat whereby said cams are normally interlocked but -ma be automatically disconnected .,a ainst t e tension of said spring, anda supp emental spring m said first mentioned opening' actmg against said reciprocating coupling member.

ends ofsaid and the end of said tie rod orbolt v.

7. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of a starting shaft having an axial opening and a 1 way therein, means \a hereby said shaft may be rotated, a locking mechanism whereby rsaid shaft is permitted to turn in one direction but is locked against movement in the other direction,- a coupling member mounted in said opening, astud on said member movable in said way, said member having an axial opening therethrough, a second coupling member rotatably mounted in said opening having an axial opening therethrough enlarged at its forv-rard end to form a spring seat and chamber, interlocking camscarried by the adjoining ends of said coupling memopening and engaging said first mentioned coupling member, and a spring under com pression in said chamber, and between said spring seat and the end of said tie rod or bolt, whereby said cams are normally interlocked but may be automatically disconnected through the-reciprocation of said first mentioned coupling member against the tension of said spring.

'8. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination of a starting shaft having an axial opening there in means whereby said shaft may be rotated, a ratchet wheel carried by said shaft, :1. panl mounted adjacent to and adapted to engage said ratchet wheel, whereby said shaft is permitted to turn in one direction but is'locked against movement in-the other direction, a reciprocating coupling member having an axial'opening therethrough, mounted in said opening and rotatable with said shaft, a second coupling member rotatably mounted in said opening, having an axial opening therethrough enlarged at its forward'end to form a spring seat and chamber, interlocking cams carrie bythe adjoining ends of said coupling members, a tie rod or bolt passing through said openings and engaging said reciprocating member, and a spring under compression in said chamber, and between said spring seat and the end of said tie rod or, bolt, whereby saidmams are normallyinterlocked, but ma be automatically disconnected against t e tension of said spring.

9. In a stalting mechanism for internal starting shaft, means whereby said shaft "may be rotated,;.a ratchet wheel carried by said shaft, a pawl mounted adjacent to, and adapted to engage, said ratchet wheel, whereby said shaftris freeto turn in one di- 'rection and may "ment in the other direction, a rim on said ratchet wheel, a cam carried by said pawl adapted to beengaged by said rim, a bearing for said shaft whereby it maybe moved axially, a eouplin member rotatably mounted in said sha t, means whereby said bers, a tie rod or bolt passing through saidcombustion engines, the combination of a v be-locked against move-- couplin member is caused to moveaxiall' with said shaft, said member havin on the forward face thereof one member e an imact coupling havingdisengaging cam suraces thereon, adapted to engage the engine shaft whereby when the .engine starts said coupling member will be disengaged from said en ine shaft and reciprocate said start ing sl1a t soas to raise said pawl from said ratchet, a reciprocating coupling member rotatable with said starting shaft and adaptedto be coupled to said first mentioned coupling member, and means whereby said coupling members may be; automatically connected to transmit motionfromsaid first mentioned shaft and be automatically disconnected to vermit' said first mentioned cou ling mern er to be rotated independent y of said starting shaft.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto a'f-.

fixed my signature this 6th day'of N ovem- 

